Kansas City's melodic punks Hipshot Killer have been together for over two years, but only recently released their first album. That debut, a self-titled LP, came out back in March, and the band has been steadily acquiring fans and converts. They're playing an all-ages show at The Granada this Saturday, June 4, with recently reunited pop-punkers mi6, as well as a slew of other area punk bands. We spoke with frontman and guitarist Mike Alexander, via e-mai,l about the new album and a little of the band's history.
The Pitch: The band's CV is pretty amazing. You were in the Gadjits and the Revolvers, as was Chris Wagner, correct?
Mike Alexander: Yeah. Chris and I were in the Revolvers together and then I played with the Gadjits/Architects right after that. The record is a full length album.
What took so long to get the album finished? You've been playing together for a few years now, and there were tracks on a Midwest Music Foundation sampler back in 2009.
It's taken forever, so I want to record an EP by the end of the year to have out by 2012. We started recording our record after our third show. The plan was to bust out a full length of where we were right then and it was just one of those situations where we kept making a little progress in one area of the recording but then losing ground in other places.
We did the original guitar and drum tracks in a studio space that we weren't really supposed to be playing or recording in while the actual occupants were moving out. Plus, I had never sang before: live or otherwise. So, as you can imagine, that was a learning experience in and of itself. Why vinyl? I think it's the best way to listen to music and it's got staying power.
When was that third show?
The third show was at Daveys for the Midwest Music Foundation Benefit show sometime in April of 2009.
How many songs did you have at the time?
We had the 10 originals and a few covers.
Why had you never sang before? Was it something where you felt uncomfortable, or you'd never had the opportunity, or it'd just never occurred to you to try?
I had always wanted to front my own band but it just never happened until then. I was nervous at first but then just kind of said, "fuck it".
You guys are not the sort of band that plays any and all shows. It seems that you choose when you play pretty carefully. Is there a reason for all this?
We haven't turned down that many shows. We haven't tried to get booked anywhere we wouldn't feel comfortable getting kicked out of.
Lastly, what plans have you for the future? I know the album's new, but are you already looking to the next one?
Future plans include some minor touring and then the recording of a 10-inch EP in october that should be out by the time we go to SXSW next year. We'd really like to get some bigger support slots this year.
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